Use of prostaglandins E and F for prevention of pregnancy in humans

ABSTRACT

Methods and compositions are disclosed for administering prostaglandins of the PGF and PGE types to ovulating humans for the prevention of pregnancy.

United States Patent [m Pharriss 145] May 6, 1975 USE OF PROSTAGLANDINS E AND F FOR PREVENTION OF PREGNANCY IN HUMANS I75] Inventor; Bruce B. Pharriss. Kalamazoo.

21 Appl. No; 330.351

Related US. Application Data IfJUI Division of Ser. No. XXLZW Dee. I. I96).

abandoned. whieh is u C011IlHUUIlUIIJn-Plifl oi Sex No. 756194. Aug 9 I968. abandoned [52} US. Cl 7. 424/305: 424/3l8 lSll lnl. Cl Ablk 27/00 I58] Field of Search 7. 424/305. 318

(56] References Ciled OTHER PUBLICATIONS Elizlsson World Congr. of Fert Lind Sterility. 5th Prue (1967 pages 673 and 674.

Prinmry liiumi'nerSum Rosen [57} ABSTRACT Methods and compositions are disclosed for Adminis tering prosmglamdins oi the PCP and PGE types to ovulating humans for the prevention of pregnancyv 9 Claims, N0 Drawings USE OF PROSTAGLANDINS E AND F FOR PREVENTION OF PREGNANCY IN HUMANS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 881.296.1i1ed Dec. 1. 1969. which is a continuation-in-part of my application Scr. No. 756.294. filed Aug. 9. 1968, both now abandoned.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to methods and compositions for controlling the reproductive cycle in ovulating female mammals including humans and animals such as monkeys, rats. rabbits. dogs. cattle. and the likev PGF and PGE types prostaglandins in dosage unit forms of pharmaceutical preparations are administered systemically to the female mammals. the preparations supplying an effective non-toxic amount for controlling the reproductive cycle of a member selected from the group consisting of the free acids. pharmaceutically aceeptable salts. acylates wherein the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having l to 8 carbon atoms. inclusive. and carboxylate esters having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. inclusive. ofa compound represented by the formula cw, cans wherein W is =C=O or X is CH CH or trans CH=CH and both Y and Z are CHgCHg; X is trans CH=CH. Y is cis CH=CH and Z is CH CH or cis CH=CH; m is 0. l or 2 and n is 2. 3. 4 or 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A crude mixture. called prostaglandin was reported by von Euler. Arch. Exp. Path. Pharm Abs. 175. 78 (1934); 181 (1936);]. Physiol 72. 74 (1931); 81. 102 (1934); 84. 21 (1935) 88. 213 1936); and Klin. Wschr 14, 1182 (1935). More recently essentially pure crystalline PGF (PGF, or PGF a) has been isolated. British Pat. No. 851,827 and Acta Chemica Seandinavica 14. 1693 (1960). Microbiological conversions of unsaturated fatty acids with mammalian glandular tissue are described in US. Pat. No. 3.290.226 and 3.296.091. In the latter patent PGF PGF, or GF a) is designated as 7[3a,5a-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-l-octenyl)- cyclopentyll-heptanoic acid to conform to the follow ing structure:

The PGF-type prostaglandins are characterized by the presence of the hydroxyl group at the 5-position in the cyclopentane ring. The designation PGF a shows the configuration of the hydroxyl at the 5-position. Various other members of the PGF type are known and are named either systematically or in terms of their re lationship to PGF. Illustrative thereof are PGF a or 7- l3a-5oz-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-l-octenyl)-cyclopentyll-S-heptenoic acid, PGF;,a or 7'I 3a.5adihydroxy-2- (3-hydroxy-l .S-octadienyl)-cyclopentyl lfi-heptenoic acid. and dihydro PGF oz or 7[3a.5a-dihydroxy-2-(3- hydroxyocty1)-cyclopentyll hcptanoic acid. Details of preparations from available materials are disclosed for dihydro PGF,a. PGF a. and POI- a in Biochimica and Biophysica Acta. 84. 707 (1964). and for PGFICI! in US. Pat. No. 3.069.322 Bergstrom. Carlson and Weeks. Pharmacological Reviews. Vol. 20. No. 1. l (1968) review "The Prostaglandins.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts for example. those of alkali metals and alkaline earth bases. such as the sodium. potassium. calcium and magnesium salts; those of ammonia or a basic amine such as mono-. di-. and triethyl amines. benzylamine. heteroeyclic amines such as piperidine and morpholine. and amines containing water-solubilizing or hydrophilic groups such as triethanolamine and phenylmonoethanolamine are disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3.296.091. Carboxylate esters such as methyl. ethyl. cyclohexyl and the like having no more than 8 Carbon atoms are formed by the usual methods. e.g.. reaction with diazomethane or similar diazohydrocarbons as in US. Pat. No. 3.296.119 l. Acylates of lower alkanoic acids of l to 8 carbon atoms. inclusive are prepared in the usual manner by reaction of the respective prostaglandin acids with the appropriate acid anhydride or acid halide, e.g.. those of acetic. propionic. butyric. isoburyric. Valerie. caproic. caprylic and the like acids. as in Great Britain Patent Specification No. 1.040.544.

PGF-type prostaglandins in dosage unit forms of pharmaceutical preparations are administered systemically to the female mammals. the preparations supplying an effective non-toxic amount for controlling the reproductive cycle of a member selected from the group consisting of the free acids. pharmaceutically acceptable salts. acylates wherein the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. inclusive. and carboxylatc esters having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. inclusive. of a compound represented by the formula so H ' CH2- Y- CH coou xy- CH2-Z t CH2 CH3 I l t HO H H on y K CH CH- CHROHl- CH Cl-l CH2 Ch wherein X is CH CH or trans CH=CH and both Y and Z are CH CH X is trans (H -CH. Y is cis CH=CH and Z is (H CH or cis CH=H; m is (l, l or 2 and n 2. 3. 4 or 5. In the aforesaid U.S. Pats. No. 3.290.226 and 3.296.091. PGE compounds are described including PGE,. PGE- and PGE The POE series is characterized by the presence of the keto group at the 5 position in the cyclopentane ring. More recently. Ramwell. et al. Prostaglandins" in Progress in the Chemistry of Fats and other Lipids. Vol. 9 Part 2 edited by R. Holman. pp. 23 l-273 Pergamon Press. Oxford. i968 refer to prostaglandin PGE. as lla,l5(Sl-dihydroxy-Q-oxolB-trans-prostenoic acid. POE- as lla,l5(S] dihydroxy9-oxo-5-cis. l3-trans. l 7-cis-prostatrienoic acid. POE. is converted to dihydro-PGE by catalytic hydrogenation as described in Belgian Pat. No. 685.5%. As heretofore described. the pharmaceutically acceptable salts. carboxylate esters. acylates of the lower alkanoic acids are prepared in this POE series also. Hence the compositions and methods provide an effective non-toxic amount of a member selected from the group consisting of the free acids. pharmaceutically acceptable salts. acylates wherein the acyl radical is that of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having l to 8 carbon atoms. inclusive. and carboxylate esters having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. inclusive. of a compound repre sented by the formula wherein X is (H CH or trans CH=CH and both Y and Z are CH CH X is trans CH=CH. Y is cis CH=CH and Z is fH CH- or cis CH=CH; m is U. l or 2 and n is 2. 3. 4 or S.

The above formulae are to be construed herein as including optically active compounds of the natural con figuration and. except for the PGE;.-type and PGF atype compounds. (i.e.. wherein X is trans CH=CH. and Y and Z are cis CH=CHJ racemic compounds. All of these compounds are known or can be prepared by known methods. See. for example. US. Pat. No. ll lojlll, Rec. Trav. Chim. 85. i233 (i966). ibid. 87. 4M (19681.1. Am. Chem. Soc. 90. 5895 (I968). and Chemical Communications 303 I969). The PGFdtype compounds are also prepared by carbonyl reduction of the corresponding PGBtype compounds. advantageously with sodium borohydride according to known procedures When an active ingredient is named. for example P(F.or. PGF H. PGBQ. dihydro- PGF rr. PUB... PGE PGF dihydro-PGi'i unless the designation raceniic or d] is added. the optically active form of the natural configuration is meant.

Corresponding PGF beta compounds are also useful in the compositions and methods of the present invention. for example. PGF B. PGBB. PGF B. dihydro- PGF B. and the other related PGF-beta compounds in the form of the heretofore described salts. carboxylate esters. and acylates. In this instance (except for PUP-.3) the names designate the raccmic compounds and the optically active compounds of the natural configura tion.

it is especially advantageous to formulate the inventive compositions in dosage unit forms for ease and economy of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used in the specification and claims herein refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for animal and human subjects. each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired biological effect in association with the required pharmaceutical means. The specifications for the novel dosage unit forms of this invention are dictated by and directly dependent on (a) the unique characteristics of the active material and the particular biological effect to be achieved and (b) the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active material for administration to animal and human subjects as disclosed in detail in this specification. these being features of the present invention.

lllustratively. effectiveness of the pharmaceutical preparations and methods of administration in the human female is dependent on providing thereto an effective amount of the active ingredient during a span of time starting approximately at the time of ovulation and ending approximately at or just prior to the next expected menses. Within this span wherein the prepa rations and methods are operable, variations in time and frequency of administration are possible provided an effective amount of the essential active ingredient is made available. This span correlates with development of a corpus luteum upon which. according to some experimental data, a luteolytic effect is exerted by the present preparations and methods. In harmony with the concept of administering to the female subject such an effective amount of the prostaglandintype ingredient in the dosage unit form of pharmaceutical preparation various embodiments are possible. lllustratively. daily intravenous infusion of a sterile aqueous pharmaceutical preparation containing the aforesaid active ingredient starting on or about the 16th day of a cycle and ending on or about the last day or two of the cycle is an effective mode of administration. This mode may be varied to allow for infusion of larger amounts on each of 2 or 3 days. infusion administration on the second or third day prior to expected menses can be used. Another embodiment is a sterile pharmaceutical unit dosage preparation in an aqueous or oily vehicle form injected over a schedule of about one injection on each of 2 or 3 days. A further embodiment is a sterile aqueous suspension of a carboxylate ester heretofore described or an acylate as heretofore described. In this embodiment one injection on or about the l6th or 17th day of the cycle is effective to bring about menses in the ovulating female at the usual time although sexual exposure occurs about the time of ovulation. Another embodiment is an intravaginal composition; illustrativcly. an intravaginal suppository administered once every 3 days starting on or about the 17th day of the cycle until the ensuing menses appears. Yet another embodiment is a pharmaceutical preparation adapted for sublingual or buccal administration whereby the principal active ingredient is directly available to the blood supply and thereby exerts its beneficial effect. One such pharmaceutical preparation held under the tongue until dissolved once or twice daily starting on or about the l7th day of the cycle is effective to maintain the required amount of the active prostaglandin type ingredient to prevent pregnancy during the particular cycle although ovulation and exposure to the male have occurred. Other injcctionables arc. for example. combinations of a water soluble salt and an acylate or carboxylate ester to provide both immediate and prolonged action. A dry preparation for reconstitution as desired with an appropriate liquid. c.g.. sterile saline is yet another embodiment.

The aforesaid prostaglandins are administered in dosage unit forms of pharmaceutical preparations supplying to the treated female mammal an effective amount of the essential active ingredient for control of the reproductive cycle. e.g.. by ensuring a nonprcgnant cycle in the female notwithstanding ovulation and contact with a fertile male as by natural coitus during the aforesaid span extending from on or about the time of ovulation to just prior to expected menses. Additionally. the ovulating female obtains regularity of the reproductive cycle by utilizing the preparations and methods of this invention, apparently due to aiding the natural cycle regression of the corpus luteum. The preparation can be in the form of a fine powder of about microns or less. preferably prepared by air micronization. such powder being used as a nasal snuff or a vaginal insufflation. The powder can be suitably compounded with a compatible extender. cg. lactose. Other pharmaceutical preparations in dosage unit form are compounded of the essential prostaglandin active ingredient and pharmaceutical means which adapt the preparation for systemic administration. The pharmaceutical preparations for administration to the humans and animals include those for injectable. nasal. sublingual. or buccal and vaginal administration. Those for injcctable administration are. for example. sterile aqueous solutions. sterile aqueous suspensions. sterile oily solutions or suspensions. sterile powders for subsequent incorporation into an injcctable form by addition of the required sterile vehicle. and the like. The solutions or suspensions are compounded with the required pharmaceutical means such as preservatives. suspending and dispersing agents. and isotonic agents. for example. methyl and propyl parabens. sodium chloride. polyethylene glycols. especially polyethylene glycol 4000. sodium can boxymethylcellulose. sodium alginate or polyvinyl pyrrolidone. polysorbatc 80. condensation products of ethylene oxide with fatty acids. for example polyoxyethylene stearate; or with fatty alcohols. for example heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol. or with partial esters. for example polyoxyethylene sorbitol mono-oleate or hexitans derived from sorbitol. for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-olcate. Preservative means such as methyl and propyl p-hydroxy benzoates are incorporated into such suspensions or dispersions. Suspensions in oily media can be prepared by dispersing the active ingredient in an acceptable oily means. for example a vegetable oil such as sesame oil. peanut oil and cottonseed oil. These may contain means to delay absorption. for example aluminum monostcaratc. All dosage unit forms for iniectable administration must be sterile as is known and practiced in the art.

Pharmaceutical preparations for nasal administration also include sprays formulated with acceptable aqueous means. for example a buffered isotonic aqueous vehicle containing appropriate buffer salts and. for example. lactose or rnannitol. The sprays can be compounded with means adapted to form an aerosol. for

example. nontoxic propellants such as the known fluorinated methane and ethane. Preparations for vaginal application include the essential active ingredient reduced in particle size to a powder suitable for insufflation or suitably mixed with inert excipient means such as lactose. Such preparations also include suppositories and other formed structures such as ring devices for in travaginal use containing the essential active ingredi em. for example a polysiloxane polymer device in the form of a toroid which will release the essential active ingredient during a predetermined period of time. The amount of the essential active ingredient provided by the various dosage forms is sufficient to supply a dosage of from about 0.001 mg. to about 20 mg. per kilo. prefcrably from about 0.01 mg. to about 20 mg. per kilo of the treated subject. depending on the desired promptness. duration and magnitude of the end result. The amount of the prostaglandin compound in the several embodiments of the invention. whether for oral. injectable. or intravaginal administration can be expressed in percentage by weight or in specific amounts. These percentages or specific amounts will vary in view of the different onset and duration of the biological effects that attend each dosage unit form. For examaplc. a sterile aqueous suspension designed for prolonged action after one injection can contain as much as 509: by weight whereas a sterile aqueous solution as diluted with sterile saline for infusion can contain as little as 0.000059? (05 mg. in a I000 ml. infusion equivalent to 0.0l mg./kilo for a kilogram woman). Other infu sions provide as small a dose as 0.00l mg/kilol. A sterile aqueous solution for direct intravenous administration. without infusion as with physiological saline can contain. for example. 5)? or more. Dosage unit forms such as the sublingual and intravaginal types can contain as much as 200 mg. and 500 mg. respectively. Other embodiments within the inventive concept. such as oily preparation. dry preparations for suspension and solution. are designed to provide the aforesaid dosages of from about 0.00l mg. to about 20 mg. preferably from about 0.0] mg. to about 20 mg. per kilo of body weight.

Although the exact mechanism of action of the essential active ingredient of the prostaglandin type in controlling the reproductive cycle is not certain. the action manifests itself in several ways. for example. by regulating menses or heat so that the length of the cycle con forms to a predetermined span; by preventing reproduction despite ovulation and natural exposure to sperm; and by a luteolytic phenomenon involving regression of corpora lutea. This phenomenon will terminate anestrus.

The mechanism of action of the prostaglandins in the treated females is a matter for conjecture although experimental data indicate that a luteolytic mechanism and regression of the corpus luteum may be involved. A pharmaceutical preparation is made up by dissolving PGF a in physiological saline at a concentration of meg/ml. and adjusting the pH within the range of 5 to 7 with bicarbonate buffer. Cycling normal rats (200 to 300 gm.) are prepared with a right uterine cornua indwelling catheter. Weeks and Davis. J. Appl. Physiol. l9. 540 (1964). At the third normal procstrus pseudopregnancy is induced by vaginal stimulation with an electric probe. Vaginal smears are taken to confirm pseudopregnancy. On the morning of day 5 of pseudopregnancy the pharmaceutical preparation of PGF a is infused at the rate of 2.06 ml [day (l mg/kg/day) PGF a. infusions of the PGF ur preparation and a like saline control are continued for 48 hours at which time the animals are sacrificed and the ovaries harvested and placed in l ml. of 2.571 NaOH solutions for deter- 5 mination of progesterone and 20u-OH progesterone. The determinations in two experiments are as listed in Table 1.

Table I The Hicct of PUIQu Infusion on the Concentration of Progesterone and 2tluOtLProgesterone in the Ovaries of Pseudopregnant Rats Ovarian Total No. Location Weight Progesterone 'lUa HP P/OHP Sample l'reatrnent ()taries (side! (mgsl (fig/gm tissue! (fig/gm tissue! Ratio Experiment I l Saline (I (In till. 2 Right 70,0 14,8 L40 9.75

17* -i .2 I tlayl infused into I Left (17.3 Kb 090 right uterine horn 3 P(il" a ll rag/kg, 3 Right i298 4.l H47 4 day into right 3 Right 94.) 2 R 4.]

1 8 l l .9 0.24 5 uterine horn 1 Left l50.'-) it) (i h I Left 89.7 l 4 .5

Experiment I l Saline (2 b mlikgl 3 Right ZJl 4 4, l I 4.80 1 day: into right Right 203.5 7.02 5.00

5.56 4.9 l.l3 3 uterine horn 3 Left Hills ital 5.60 4 3 Left 280.3 047 410 5 P(il .ir (l iiig kg/ 3 Right lh-LX (L87 [1.9 b day] into tight 3 Right 3 l 3.5 0.3) 7,)

0.67 l0.l 0.06 7 uterine horn 3 left i314 0.53 90 it l.cft 207 l 0 '40 9,4

'Antagt \aIiies lor eath group The data show that the effect of the PGF a administration is a reduction of progesterone content and an increase in the reduced steroid content, thus indicating a luteolytic action through failure of effective progesterone content.

The beneficial action in controlling the reproductive cycle manifests itself. for example, in preventing reproduction despite ovulation and natural exposure to sperm. Absence, reduction and resorption of implantation sites in animals is a manifestation of the beneficial action in controlling the reproductive cycle. Expulsion of an embryo or fetus is another manifestation. ln animals, for example dogs and cats. such expulsion is often deemed desirable in the case of improper or unknown mating. At about one third, or in some cases, a longer portion of the gestation period in animals such as dogs and cats, actual expulsion occurs. Earlier, resorption follows treatment with the present preparations and methods. in the human. the first about sixteen weeks of gestation is the duration of time within which lawful medical abortion by expulsion of the embryo or fetus is deemed sound. especially by about the th week following the first missed menses, this being equivalent to about twelve weeks of gestation. Such lawful medical abortion is usually accomplished by the present compo sitions and methods without lawful surgical intervention which, however, is not excluded or contraindicated as a complementary measure. in animals, illustratively dogs and cats. the time duration within which medical abortion is accomplished varies with the and are to be construed as exemplary embodiments of the invention concept and not as limitations thereof.

EXAMPLE 1 Intravenous infusion of pharmaceutical preparation PGF a is made up in sterile saline solution at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml. and used for administration by infusion in female rats. Spartan SpraqueDawley rats are used. Males are experienced breeders and females (225-275 gm. body wt.) have typical vaginal estrus cycles. lndwelling right heart cannulas are inserted during proestrus. After cannulation. daily vaginal smears are again taken to insure maintenance of normal cyclicity. Initially infusion of PGF a (3.2 mg./kg./day in saline) commences at 4:00 pm. the afternoon before mating and continues for six additional days. The starting time of the infusion is later modified to commence on the morning following mating because of an adverse affect on mating behavior ofthe environment associated with the infusion equipment. The day of finding sperm in the vagina is considered Day 1 and the males are removed from the females at this time.

On Day 8, an exploratory laparotomy is performed under ether anesthesia via an abdominal midline incision. Uteri are checked for number. size, and distribution of implantation sites taking care to minimize any handling of the reproductive tract. Incisions are closed with surgical silk, the animals returned to their original cages. On Day l8 females are placed in casting boxes. At parturition or on Day 23 animals are sacrificed and the number and condition of the young are determined.

Results:

Six of eight rats infused with saline only conceive. Those animals average 1 I.7 implantation sites at Day 8. and 7.8 develop fetuses.

Three of 1 l PGF a treated rats conceive. Implantation sites of one of these three are barely detectable at Day 8, no indication of pregnancy is evident at autopsy on Day 23. The remaining two have implants of normal size, on the low side of the average number and. in one rat. are predominately in the anterior half of the uterine cornu. Five fetuses at term appear normal by gross inspection.

EXAMPLE 2 Subcutaneous administration of pharmaceutical preparation Prostaglandin (POI- 01) is made up in sterile saline solution at a concentration of 0.8 mg/ml. and used for subcutaneous administration in female rats. Spartan Spraque-Dawley rats are used. Males are experienced breeders and females (225-275 gm.) have typical estrous cycles. Males are placed with females during pro estrus and allowed to remain overnight. The following morning females are examined for vaginal plugs and the presence of sperm. Animals with vaginal sperm are started on test. the day of finding sperm being considered Day I.

A. 3.2 mg./kg. of PGFZOI is injected subcutaneously daily in two evenly divided dosages. Animals are sacrificed on Day 8 at which time the number and size of implants are recorded. The results are in Table 2.

B. Females are injected subcutaneously. h.i.d.. on days 4. S and 6 with either 0.1 mg. 0.2 mg. 0.4 mg, or 0.8 mg. of PGF a per day. The rats are sacrified on Day l5. At the time of sacrifice the number, size and distribution ofimplants are recorded. The results are in Table 3.

Table 2 10 Table 3 Effect of P(iF a when injected Subcutaneously on Days 4. 5 and b PGFZQ is made up in sterile physiological saline at a concentration of It) mg./ml. and used for subcutaneous administration in female rabbits.

Mature virgin Dutch rabbits weighing about l.5 kg. each are used. Each of ten females is mated twice with two different proven males and the day of finding sperm in the vaginas of the female rabbits is Day I. Thereafter. subcutaneous injections are begun on Day 4 with the mated animals divided into five groups each.

In Group I each rabbit receives two subcutaneous injections per day of the pharmaceutical preparation providing a total daily dosage of 5 mg/kg/day of the PGF a. In Group II each of the five mated female rah bits receives two like daily injections subcutaneously of 0.5 ml. of physiological saline.

The injections are given on each of five days and thereafter on Day l2 the animals are sacrificed and autopsied. In none of the rabbits injected with the PGF- ot preparation are implantation sites found at autopsy. In the other group of salinetreated controls four of the rabbits have implantation sites with the number of implants being respectively 8. 5. 8 and 8. The fifth animal in this group shows no evidence of implantation sites.

Effect of POI- a. In ected Subcutancously Treatment Dose bid. Days Total Dose No. of rats with Average No.

Injected [nig)-No. of Implantation of Implants rats sites Physiological Saline 0.5 cc Day I? 0.0 (5) 4 ll.2

0.4 wig/05cc Day l-7 Sb (5) 0 Day 3-7 4.0 (4) ll 4 Day 5-? 14(4) l l] PUP-:0 Day 6-7 lb (-H 3 l4 Day o 0.2412) 2 N Day 7 0X1) 2 1-4.5

Day 1-7 5 t1 I3] (I Day l5 4.0 I4] 2 ll.5 Day l-3 2.4 (-H 4 l3 PHI- ut Day 2-4 2.4 (4) 3 7b Day 3 08(1) 1 8.5 Day 2 0.8 l I) I I2 EXAMPLE 4 lntravaginal administration of suppository PGF-mz is made up in a suppository base containing two parts by weight of polyethylene glycol 6000 and one part by weight of polyethylene glycol lSUU. The suppositories are formed into pellets with a volume of approximately l ml. The suppositories for administration of the prostaglandin contain 8 mg. each of the PGF- a prostaglandin material.

Ten female rabbits are each mated twice with two different proven males and the day of finding of sperm in the vagina is taken as Day l. Each rabbit is treated once on days 4. 5. 6. 7. and 8 for a total of five days. Since the individual rabbits weigh about 1.6 kg. the dosage of the prostaglandin material in the medicamenbtreated animals is 5 mg/kg/day.

In none of the live prostaglandin-treated rabbits are implantation sites found upon autopsy on Day l2. In each of the five control rabbits treated with saline there are implantation sites averaging b, S, 5. 7 and 9 sites respectively.

EXAMPLE 5 Aqueous solution Mature female rhesus monkeys (5-6 kg.) are mated naturally at a time and for a duration of the reproductive cycle calculated to maximize the chances of conception. The day of ovulation is determined by following peripheral blood progestin levels, and ovulation is confirmed by laparotomy. Prostaglandin F 01 (PGF a) is dissolved mg./ml. in ethanol and diluted to l5 mg/ml. with a sterile aqueous methylcellulose vehicle (025: This prostaglandin preparation is injected subcutaneously b.i.d.. 3t) mg./day for 5 days. injection is initiated on Day 7 after the presumed day of ovulation in one animal. female No. l6M. The other three test animals are injected on Days 1 l to l5 post ovulation. Peripheral plasma progestin levels are followed during the cycle current to the time of injection. Pregnancy is diagnosed by rectal palpation to determine uterine enlargement. All test animals are observed for systemic signs of drug toxicity during the course of the experiment.

Peripheral blood progestin levels are not completely depressed by initiating prostaglandin injection on Day 7. However, progestin levels fall precipitously almost to non-detectable levels in three test animals following the initiation ofdrug injection on Day 11. This drop in progestin level is followed by onset of menses on the 2nd. 3rd. and 4th day of injection. One of the four test animals. No. Z-M is diagnosed pregnant 41! days after mat ing. Prciious control fertility and a confirmed pregnancy in a concurrent control animal indicate planned mating under the conditions of this experiment results in a 754W? fertility rate.

No systemic signs of drug toxicity are noted in any of the animals in the present experiment. Slight tissue necrosis at some of the injection sites and a general tightcning of the skin in the local area ol'injection are noted.

EXAMPLE r Sterile Aqueous Suspension A sterile vehicle is prepared to contain in each millili ter mg. of polyethylene glycol 400 LISP. and 2.9 mg. of preservatnc. Sterilization is accomplished by filtration thru a sterile clarifying pad.

2.2 liters of suspension is prepared to contain 400 mg. per ml. of the acetate of PUT- ot.

Each ml. Total Acetate of PGF a Sterile.

micronized 400 mg. 898 Gm. Sterile Vehicle M96 (im.

EXAMPLE 7 Sterile Aqueous Solution A sterile aqueous solution for intravenous infusion administration is prepared from the following ingredients to contain 25 mg. per ml. of the sodium salt of PGF a.

Sodium PGF a 25 Gm. Lactose Hydrous 5O Gm. Sodium Biphosphate anhydrous [.fi Gm. Sodium Phosphate Exsiccated I75 Gin. Water for injection qs. ad lllOt) ml.

One milliliter is administered by intravenous infusion to the ovulating human female after intercourse during the fertile period of the cycle. The infusion is given 2 days before expected onset of menses. it can be repeated on the day before expected menses. Lesser amounts of the active ingredient can be used for infusions given on three or four days or on several days. Thereafter menses occurs at the usual time in the men strual cycle.

EXAMPLE 8 lntravaginal Suppository lntravaginal suppositories are prepared to contain in each suppository 250 mg. of prostaglandin POI-' 0:. One thousand suppositories are prepared by moulding a mixture of the following ingredients:

P('il-l .a micronized 250 Gm. Polyethylene glycol htltlll f] Gm. lactose lOU Gm.

Starting on the second day post-ovulation one suppository is used intravaginally each day in the ovulating human female with the result that menses occurs on the 28th day of a normal 28-day menstrual cycle.

EXAMPLE 9 lntravaginal Device An intravaginal device in the form of a toroid is pre pared to contain 700 mg. of dihydro PGf,a dispersed in the toroid. The prostaglandin-type active ingredient is dispersed throughout a vulcanizable polysiloxane polymer which is then moulded in a ring structure to provide a toroid for placement in the vaginal tract. The

toroid ring structure is inserted into the vagina after ovulation where it releases the active ingredient and exerts its beneficial biological effect with menses following at the expected time in the menstrual cycle. At that time the intravaginal device is removed. Like results are obtained with an annular ring coated with the pros taglandin.

EXAM PLE l Sublingual Administration One thousand tablets are prepared from the following ingredients, each containing 50 mg. of active ingredient.

PGF LL micronizcd 50 (lm, Polyethylene glycol 4000.

powdered 150 Gm. Polyethylene glycol 6000.

powdered 75 Cum.

The materials are mixed well and compressed into sublingual-type tablets of the proper weight. At the time of ovulation the human female uses one under the tongue and one daily there after to ensure that menses will occur at the end of the normal menstrual cycle in the particular female.

Example ll Sterile Aqueous Solution A sterile aqueous solution containing in each millilitcr 50 mg. of PGF u is prepared from the following ingredients:

PGF 50 (im. Ethanol 300 ml Water for injection q.s. ad llltlll ml.

The PGF a is dissolved in the ethanol and then carefully diluted with the sterile water for injection. Thereafter the whole is sterilized by sterile filtration. One milliliter injected intravenously into an ovulating bitch on the lOth and th days after sexual contact with a known fertile stud is beneficial in insuring that the usual heat period will take place in the hitch indicating that pregnancy is prevented.

EXA MPLE l2 Subcutaneous Administration EXAMPLE l3 Subcutaneouos Administration The sterile physiological saline pharmaceutical preparation of Example [3 is administered to an ovulating human at about 16 weeks into the gestation period. A

dose of 2 milliliters. equivalent to a dosage total of 10 mg.. is injected subcutaneously. Thereafter, about 16 hours post injection. the lawful medical abortion is completed and continuation of the reproductive cycle is prevented.

EXAMPLE l4 Intravenous Infusion 50 mg. of PGE is dissolved in 5 ml. of ethanol. 0.5 ml. of this solution is diluted with sterile saline (about 0.9% Nacl) to 2.500 ml. to obtain a solution containing 2 mcg. per ml. Intravenous infusion is carried out on an ovulating human about fifteen weeks into the gestation period. The infusion of ml. is completed during ap proximately l hour and the total dose provided is I50 mcg. of PGE Thereafter. at about l2 hours postinfusion. lawful medical abortion cnsucs and is con pleted satisfactorily.

An additional human patient at about 12 weeks into the gestation period is infused intravenously with a total dose ofZ mg. of PGE in about 24 minutes. Within about 8 hours successful. lawful medical abortion o0 curs.

Comparable lawful medical abortion results are accomplished with infusion of the raccmic form of PGE.

EXAMPLE l5 Subcutaneous Administration Starting at 24 days into the gestation period a bitch canine is injected subcutaneously. bid. X 3 days. with an aqueous sterile saline preparation providing in each injection 2.5 mg/kilo of PGF,a. Medical abortion cn sues within about 5 days after the last injection.

EXAMPLE lo Subcutaneous Administration The active prostaglandin compounds are dissolved in ethanol at a concentration of mg/ml. This concentrated solution is diluted with sterile vehicle (0259 methyl cellulose in water) to provide various concentrations depending on the dosage of active ingredient to be given.

Injections of 1 ml. are given twice daily to gcstating rhesus monkeys each weighing about 5 kg. Results are as follows:

Abortion Rcsults Animal Prostaglnndin Injected Stage of Pregnancy Other embodiments in the various dosage unit forms are prepared with the additional compounds repre sented by the formulae heretofore described and used with like beneficial results in the control of the reproduetivc cycle Additional compounds include. for example. as pharmaceutically acceptable salts. the alkali metal salts such as the sodium and potassium salts; as carhoxylate esters. alkyl esters having I to 6 carbon atoms inclusive, especially the methyl and ethyl esters and as acylates alkanoates wherein the alkyl radical has I to 6 carbon atoms inclusive. especially the acetate Examples are the sodium and potassium salts of PGF a, the methyl and ethyl esters of PGF u and the acetate of PGFgOf and the like alkali metal salts alkanoates, and alkyl esters of PGF o, PGF Q PUB- a dlhy(lrOP(;F Q, PGE PGE PGE and dihydro-PGE A beneficial additional active ingredient which however is not necessary in the embodiments of the inven tive concept is an estrogcnic substance ie, a naturally occuring or synthetic substance known in the art to evoke typical changes in the accessory sex organs of fe males; namely, thickening of vaginal mucosa, hypertrophy of the myometrium and proliferation of the endometrium, lllustratively. these substances are estriol. estrone. estradiol. estradiol cyclopentylpropionate, estrogenic substances conjugated. ethinyl estradiol. ethinyl estradiol Z-methyl ether. piperazine estrone sulfate benzesterol dienesterol. diethylstilbesterol dipropionate. hexesterol. methallenstril and the like. These are used in amounts known in the art to be sufficient to provide the aforesaid typical changes,

The compositions and methods also utilize for especially beneficial effects in controlling the reproductive cycle as described, mixtures of the active ingredients. preferably a mixture of PGF and POE-type compounds, especially a mixture of PGF a and PGE and a mixture of racemic PGF. ,a and racemic POE I claim:

I. A method of preventing pregnancy in an ovulating human which consists essentially of providing to a said human in a span of time beginning at or about the time of ovulation and ending at or about the time ofnext expected heat or menses an effective amount for prevent ing pregnancy of a member selected from the group consisting of the free acids. pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and alkyl esters having one to 6 carbon atoms, inclusive, in the alkyl portion, of a compound represented by the formula r I i X is CH CH or trans CH=CH and both Y and Z are CH CH X is trans CH=CH, Y is cis CH=CH and Z is CH CH or cis CH=C'H; m is 0, l or 2 and n is 2, 3. 4 or 5, in a dosage unit form compounded with pharmaceutical means which adapt the form for systemic administration.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein W is =C=O.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said member is PGE 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said memher is PG E in salt form.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said memher is PGE in alkyl ester form.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein W is 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said memher is PGF a.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said member is PG F 0: in salt form.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said member is PGF a in alkyl ester form. 

1. A METHOD OF PREVENTING PREGNANCY IN AN OVULATING HUMAN WHICH CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF PROVIDING TO A SAID HUMAN IN A SPAN OF TIME BEGINNING AT OR ABOUT THE TIME OF OVULATION AND ENDING AT OR ABOUT THE TIME OF NEXT EXPECTED HEAT OR MENSES AN EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF PREVENTING PREGNANCY OF A MEMBER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF FREE ACIDS, PHARMACEUTICALLY ACCEPTABLE SALTS, AND ALKYL ESTERS HAVING ONE TO 6 CARBON ATOMS, INCLUSIVE, IN THE ALKYL PORTION, OF A COMPOUND REPRESENTED BY THE FORMULA
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein W is C O.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said member is PGE2.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said member is PGE2 in salt form.
 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said member is PGE2 in alkyl ester form.
 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein W is
 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said member is PGF2 Alpha .
 8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said member is PGF2 Alpha in salt form.
 9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said member is PGF2 Alpha in alkyl ester form. 